Cold weather benefits local business in Bedford County

BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Colder temperatures mean “sweet business” for sugarmaker Dark Hollow Sugar Camp .

The company makes maple syrup and says that during this time of year, cold temperatures in the night, and warmer temperatures in the day help the sap.

“Freezing as in low 20s and when it gets up to the mid-40s or low-50s, it’s perfect for sap to flow,” Tyler Hrivnak, Owner of Dark Hollow Sugar Camp said.

He started tapping trees when he was 14 years old and ever since, it’s been an interest of his. Right now, the camp has 800 taps.

When it stays above freezing in the nighttime, Hrivnak said “it really hurts the tap poles. It causes bacteria to grow, and the trees want to heal. So that really cuts the season short.”

As it turns out, maple syrup is a lot like honey. Once it’s bottled and on the shelves, it can last for a long time. But it never stays on the shelves for long.

“I find around here, syrup sells really quick. I mean once people start to use it, it really sells, and I think a lot of people like the health benefits of syrup,” Hrivnak said.

The benefits of maple syrup include antioxidants, zinc, and no fat. It’s also a natural sugar, so it won’t drive your blood sugar up like refined sugar does.

“It’s just something you know, every year you want to make more syrup so you add more trees to just keep getting bigger and more efficient,” Hrivnak said.

Hrivnak said that the hardest part of making syrup is the dedication and time that has to be put into it. He said that although the process is pretty simple, it’s very time-consuming.

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Then after the season ends, it’s time to pull taps, cut firewood, clean tanks, and prepare for the next season.

In the next few years, Hrivnak says he’s aiming to have 2,500 taps.

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